The StockTwits® Edge: 40 Actionable Trade Set-Ups from Real Market Pros

CHAPTER 22

The Short Squeeze Trade

Frank Zorrila, @zortrades

Frank is sharing ideas every trading day of the year. He is good-looking for a trader, is married (sorry, ladies), and has the best voice on StockTwits TV. I met him randomly on a subway train and in a rare moment of fame he recognized me. We have been friends ever since, and I believe he is progressing fast as a successful trader and investor.

THE COLD CALLER

It was the summer of 1997 when a friend of mine suggested that I apply as a “cold caller” at a small brokerage firm. The benefits: a two-week trial period, no pay, and no guarantee that it would amount to anything. I interviewed for the internship and was approved. I knew nothing about Wall Street other than it is the street of dreams where a lot of money can be made. As a cold caller, my only job was to make phone calls from 7:30 A.M. until 9:00 P.M.—smile and dial.

In the summer of 1998, I passed my Series 7 exam to become a licensed broker. I am not going to lie. Despite the certificate, I still had no clue about stocks or the market, fundamentals or technicals. My only concern back then was how many dials I was making, how many presentations I was giving on a daily basis, and how many accounts I was opening. The retail brokerage industry for the most part is all about the numbers: commissions, money under management, and accounts being opened.

PHIL, THE MENTOR

One day, a gentleman who had come out of retirement took over the small firm I was working for. Since ...